Strolling, Shopping and Relaxing

Shopping in Leipzig

Leipzig courtyards and arcades

They are some of Leipzig’s most emblematic features – the many passages, arcades and old trade fair buildings that are shopping meccas, places of art and culture, and architectural gems all rolled into one.

Ranging from antiquarian booksellers to pet stores, these inviting shops and boutiques are the perfect places to browse or buy. Right in the heart of the city, visitors to Leipzig will be delighted by the rows of smart specialty stores that have found a very elegant home in these spacious passages.

The Mädler Passage (arcade), for example, offers a mix of luxury shops and boutiques to warm any shopper’s heart.

As unique as the buildings themselves, Leipzig’s arcades and courtyards also host the Passagenfest (‘passage festival’) every autumn, with all sorts of cultural and culinary delights.

The PROMENADEN at the Central Train Station and Leipzig’s city centre

Thanks to its Hauptbahnhof Promenades, Leipzig’s central train station is one of the most modern shopping and service centres in Germany. Between 1995 and 1997, 142 shops were created on three floors below the main concourse, offering everything from fashion, cosmetics and jewellery to consumer electronics, home accessories and fine foods. The PROMENADEN mall and its two inexpensive multi-storey car parks are open until 10 pm. And best of all, most of the shops are also open on Sundays.

From the Central Station it’s an easy walk to the nicely compact city centre - just a few yards and visitors will find themselves on Nikolaistraße, one of Leipzig’s many shopping streets. Famous department stores like Breuninger, Karstadt, Galeria Kaufhof, Peek & Cloppenburg rub shoulders in Leipzig with popular names in fashion and exclusive designer labels.

For many residents and guests, the pedestrian-friendly city centre is the preferred destination for a pleasurable shopping trip.

Höfe am Brühl - Leipzig's new shopping paradise

The ambitious "Höfe am Brühl" project was opened in September 2012.

The new shopping centre was constructed on historic ground on Brühl Street: the exact site of Richard Wagner's birthplace and, later, the affectionately nicknamed "Blechbüchse", or "Tin Can" - a department store with a very distinctive aluminium façade. Over 110 shops with a combined retail area of 27,500 m2 bring together retail, services, gastronomy, quality living, art and culture.

As the name "Höfe" (courtyards) implies, the concept of the shopping mall has followed Leipzig’s long tradition of building passageways and arcades.

Farmers’ markets

Particularly popular among the people of Leipzig and its guests are the weekly farmers´ markets, where regional producers and traders come to sell their fresh homegrown agricultural products.

You can find almost everything your heart desires at the markets on Tuesdays and Fridays at the central market square and at Augustusplatz, on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Bayerische Platz in front of the historical "Bayerische Bahnhof", on Saturdays at the Richard Wagner square or at the fairground meadow (Festwiese) next to the Red Bull Arena.

Antique & Flea Markets

Antique enthusiasts will almost certainly get their money’s worth at the several antique and flea markets in Leipzig.

The biggest antique and second-hand market in Europe with a huge offer - used, classical or bizarre - takes place on the last weekend of every month at the agra exhibition centre in Leipzig/Markkleeberg. On the first Sunday of every month (March - December), an antique and flea market is held at the Old Exhibition Centre ("Alte Messe").

A street food, vintage and design market is held monthly at the "Täubchenthal" in the west of Leipzig and be sure to visit the flea market at the Feinkost area at the famous KarLi (Karl-Liebkneckt-Straße), held every first weekend each month from March till December.

Market Days, Leipzig Book Fair and Leipzig Fun Fair

March in Leipzig is characterised by reading at the annual Book Fair Leipzig in mid-March. The annual flower and ceramics market traditionally takes place in May and in September it’s the turn of the Market Days at the market square in the city centre .

An event of its kind is the market crier competition held every August, to which street vendors flock from all over Germany. Held on the square in front of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, this vociferous competition is sure to provide an entertaining spectacle along with the chance to grab a few bargains.

Three times a year (in April, August, October), the traditional Leipzig Fun Fair ("Kleinmesse") is held at the Cottaweg and attracts visitors with its stalls, galleries and a joyful fairground atmosphere.